{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Could it be spring?

It’s always good to get back in the groove after being away, isn’t it? All the laundry gets done, things get cleaned up and organized, and then some baking can happen. Home!

That cake is this one, the Meyer Lemon Cake with Toasted Coconut Glaze. This time, plain old ordinary normal grocery-store lemon, maybe looking a little funky since I decided to mix the coconut into the icing rather than just sprinkle it on top, but man, it’s so good. It makes a nice big cake and every one of us could eat the whole thing by ourselves.

I wanted to show you that the hydrangeas I harvested in the late summer still have their color! Isn’t that awesome! It’s probably what kept me sane this winter.

{funny because it’s an indicator, however minor, of the trauma we in New England have endured with our Long Winter}

What have we here?

A bed made with non-flannel sheets! It’s spring I tell you!! *

Here they are, ready to be put away. Yes, Bridget has flannel sheets with flamingos. The fabulousness.

{real, more Winter fallout}

We have a lot of cleanup to do for spring. Turns out it’s not that easy to take a picture of a screen, because the camera keeps looking out the window, but this is only one of several giant holes brought to our den not by the dog scratching to be let in (the windows are fairly low and she does that to get our attention, bad dog), but by the sheer force of the icy snow having built up and burst in, horror-movie style.

And I’m still working on repairing that vintage chalice veil. I am up to applying the trim, so the end is in sight.

The length of this project is mainly due to two things, both of which have the same root. First, getting the silk to replace the backing (which yes, was this violent fuchsia). It wasn’t readily available for love or money — color or weave. I was willing to go gold, but no, also not available. Second, my need — which somewhat outstrips my skills — to do a stellar job.

Third — yea two things have I to say, three are the things — it was one of those dimensional puzzles not susceptible to my underwhelming visualization abilities. Hasty as I am, I took out the old lining without really internalizing the way it was put on. Sigh.

But the root is this: the things used at worship should not be thought of as props. I’ve noticed that most vestments are not nice close up. Tacky. Low quality. Not made of real things. The idea seems to be that from a distance it looks worship-y. Like at a show.

But that’s not right — and interestingly, in the theater (or film), that’s not the thought behind good costume design at all. Good designers say something like “designs need coherence” and “the visual elements must be in harmony with the action.”

Of course, worship isn’t drama in the sense of entertainment or spectacle (although it is deeply dramatic). Sad that theater is more authentic at this point than worship — more integrated and more attuned to the unity of what is offered.

If a veil is going over the chalice — or stole over a priest — the textile in question is in proximity to the Mystery — to Our Lord. It must be beautiful close up. If it feels real to the touch (because it is real) and is made well — even if it’s simple, even if it’s humble — that will be better worship. The priest will be hedged round with material realities that speak to the heavenly ones. He will sense it. And then the people will also sense it. It makes a difference.

As I’ve been making my stitches, I’ve been conscious of all that. This particular piece (and sorry to keep bringing it up, but it is taking me a long time!) happens to be fairly ornate. It doesn’t have to be. But it does have to be well made, through and through. Even on the back. And it has to be beautiful. That is all.

_______

*(Yes, I am juuuust at the end of Persuasion, because cycling through my Austen every year makes me happy. Under that is my Kindle with the biography of Churchill that kept me company in three airports recently. Under that, well, that’s what the Chief calls my “black hole.” One of three piles of books on my night table. How about you?) EDITED to say: Check out the hashtag #WhatsOnYourNightstand on Instagram and add your IG of your “black hole” — tag me (@leilamarielawler) and some other people! Thanks to Mary Eileen for the thought and MyDomesticMonastery for getting going! Looking forward to seeing your books!

Thank you for the reminder of the delectable-looking cake—I was craving lemon cake–tried a rather rubbery number this weekend that was very disappointing…{made with gluten-free flour–ugh!}I must have known, somehow, as I bought 7 lemons tonight on our way home from church. I shall be making it soon!

I am very proud of the great care you are taking to finish the chalice veil–so few people would take the necessary time and love and careful eye for the detail. Good for you!

I am so glad you are finally enjoying a taste of spring….I have enjoyed a wet and cold, but not snowy winter….and have sent out many prayers to the East each time another storm would blanket you…glad you made it!

I’ve been given a monstrance veil to repair. It is in terrible condition, and I wonder if it is even possible for it to be used again. Rather than embroidery for the IHS, it is painted on. I normally see the potential in things (I’ve even turned collars on men’s shirts until my husband was ordained and wears clericals). But this item is stained, the satin has pulls on it. Fringe is torn off (though I know how to repair that).

Deborah, if you can clean it up and repair it, do so. Maybe you can first get it cleaned, then address other issues. Sometimes you can discreetly patch tears or even re-size the object to eliminate the torn part.
But if not, then the object has to be disposed of properly. Burning is best, but then the ashes must be thrown in the garden, not in the trash, of course. Ideally, the item would be burned in the paschal fire at the vigil.

While I check in occasionaly at many blogs I have been very choosy with the handful I actually subscribe to. I have been on your list for less than a year now and I find that I’m always happy to find LMLD in my inbox. Reading the “daughters” posts are like stopping in to check in with my own daughter and grandkids. – We too just welcomed a new grandbaby :) Because of our similar age, interests and season in life, I find reading your posts Leila are like sitting down with a dear friend. Today I smiled as I considered the pile of books on my nightstand and my decision this week to put the flannel sheets back on the bed one more time this season. I’ll meditate this morning on how our desire to worship God manifests itself in the simple things we do and choices we make – and ways in which I could be more attentive. And then there is the bread I have been wanting to bake and the many screens to fix….. thanks for the reminder. Have a lovely day!

Ha! Ha! I too am a member of the “black hole” book club. War and Peace is in that black hole gathering dust. I love it, but I just can’t seem to finish it!!!! Love your hydrangeas and Bridget’s flamingo sheets!

Yes, putting flannel sheets away is such a moment! We did it a few weeks ago, but kept the thin wool blanket in place: when that is gone as well, it will mean wonderful weather is really with us… you know, that tiny window before our usual hot and humid summer sets in…
Your “black hole” is very reasonable, in my opinion. My husband is the worst: sometimes his pile is as high as the lamp on the nightstand, one pretty much like yours in size: only then he’ll say, Ok, time to put some books back on the shelves! It’s really just clutter, not that he’s reading 20 books at the same time: but one night he’ll think of a quote to check, or a passage to reread, etc. and those books never seem to go back :-)
I couldn’t agree more with what you say about liturgical linens and vestments: we should remember that the Mass is (or should be….) modeled after the liturgy in Heaven: nothing should cheapen our worship, not even the things we use for it. This is also why I love that some orders, like the Benedictines of Mary, have taken up the job of making altar linens and things like that: beauty created in prayer and for the love of God – perfect!
One last gluttonous note about your cake: it is absolutely true that it’s that addictive, and if there are readers who haven’t tried it yet, they should! Or maybe they shouldn’t… they’ll love it too much, like me!

My husband took me to NC to visit Biltmore a couple of weeks ago. They have a display right now of costumes from Downton Abbey. Of course, I could not get very close to the garments, but I was sooooo impressed by the quality of the material and the intricacy of the beading and embroidery. Some are vintage, which have been restored to wear on the TV series, and some are new. But I thought everything would be just “costumes”, made out of something or other cheap, but they are linen, wool, silk. Beautiful! I cannot afford beautiful clothing, but I know quality when I see it and enjoy the beauty of it. I agree with you about the beauty of materials used in worship. If we enjoy the beautiful clothing on a TV show, how much more important and lovely should be linens used for worship! After all, the church should reflect the magnificence of God and show us the lovely heart of God.

Love your thoughts on the things used in worship. I can remember my mom laboring very long and very hard on a canopy for Eucharistic processions. She actually did quite a number on her back from so much bending over when it was spread out on her sewing room floor! But it was truly a thing of beauty.

I was all content when you showed photos of that fabulous cake and then you went and left the best understanding I’ve ever read about why the sacred needs tangible articles within the Mass and nothing ‘showy’ tacky etc.. for the sake of entertainment. Your grasp of the authentic is always explained so well – thank you. Also, I make costumes for our local theater and have a real disdain for non-authentic (but theater budgets force it sometimes) so I especially appreciated the comparison.

We put the winter coats away last week and even though there is snow in the air and it’s in the 30’s today, I don’t care! We just need to be done done done with this winter!! Next up is putting the rest of the down comforters away :)

Hello from the Northwest Territories! I had to chuckle when I read your bit about the non-flannel sheets. I made THE BIG DECISION yesterday to put the flannel sheets away and made up the beds with the spring/summer sheets. It made me feel so much better about winter being almost gone.

That chalice veil will be beautiful when it is finished! I really love the bright fuschia. Oh, the food! It all looks so delicious. I’ll have to give that lemon cake a try but really I’d take the salad, the bread, AND the cake. If you deliver. ;)

I don’t know if the links will work, but it might be interesting for you, Leila, to get in touch with Michele Quigley in Pennsylvania. She has more than dabbled in the repair and even from scratch sewing of sacred vestments over the last years. She recently posted the above pdf (s) on a yahoo group. She has her own blog in her name.com.
A friend of mine here in Germany is a highly skilled embroidery/stitching master(ess). She told me she hast to order her silk thread from France, because it is no longer produced in Germany. Her linen is also difficult to find. But she does know where to find what she needs. If you are ever in need and can’t find a certain quality of material , let me know. I will put you in touch with my friend.

I definitely don’t read Austin yearly, I have too many other books I am trying to make it through. Right now I am re-reading Anne of Green Gables (a wonderful series for spring). I am on book 4. I am also re-reading The Count of Monte Cristo. Though that feels like a fall story. ;)

We changed our flannel sheets for percale a couple weeks ago. It definitely speaks of warm weather! I also agree with you about things used in worship and how they should be real. When my husband (a Lutheran pastor) was looking for a pectoral cross to wear for the divine service, he didn’t like the idea of crosses made of resin or other synthetic materials. He chose a pewter one because it was real *and* affordable. Your chalice veil is beautiful and I understand why you are taking such pains with it. :)

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